GI Bill 2.0 Offers Online Housing Stipend The latest version of the Post-9/11
GI Bill -- GI Bill 2.0 -- offers expanded benefits, especially for online
students. Distant learners, as they are referred to by VA policy, were
previously excluded from receiving the living (housing stipend) stipend
unless they enrolled in at least one course per term in a classroom setting.
GI Bill 2.0: Offers Online Living Stipend
By Terry Howell
The latest version of the Post-9/11 GI Bill - GI Bill 2.0 - offers expanded
benefits, especially for online students. Distant learners, as they are
referred to by VA policy, were previously excluded from receiving the living
(housing stipend) stipend unless they enrolled in at least one course per
term in a classroom setting. Many veterans who desired to take 100 percent of
their classes online were upset by this rule. Some took the obligatory single
course in the classroom to get the stipend. Many chose not to enroll at all.
Starting next fall, Post-9/11 GI Bill eligible veterans will be able to get a
monthly living stipend without having to take traditional classroom courses.
The stipend for online students will be significantly different from the
traditional classroom student version. Online students will get half of the
national average stipend (average Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with
Dependents). For example a full-time student who is taking 100 percent of his
or her classes online will get $673.50 a month, while a full-time student
taking at least one classroom course will get the full stipend rate based on
the specific location of the school.
As a former online student, I can say that this is better than nothing. In
fact, a school official told me that a large percentage of his students
planned to drop their classroom courses and attend online only due to this
change.
Of course nothing is without cost and legislation is no different. Congress
is bound by a pay-as-you-go rule which means that the costs of any program
like the Post-9/11 GI Bill 2.0 must be offset by new taxes or reductions in
other areas. To help cover the cost of the GI Bill reforms, Congress chose to
end the practice of paying benefits during school-breaks and changed the
formula for the housing stipend payment rate.
Changes to Stipend Payment Formula - Veterans currently enrolled at a rate of
better than half-time receive a full living stipend check. However, beginning
October 1, 2011, the housing stipend will be prorated based on the student's
rate of pursuit. For example, a student enrolled at ¾ time will get ¾ of
their living stipend - based on the location of their school. The new
prorating factor applies to online students as well.
The reforms offer more veterans expanded options and opportunities to take
vocational training, flight school, numerous certification exams, stipends
for online learners, and the ability to tap into the VA's OJT and
Apprenticeship program.
Many of us who supported and pushed for GI Bill reform are disappointed that
some vets will lose so others may gain. Which was exactly what the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs was trying to avoid.
Hopefully continued pressure from veterans will force the 112th Congress to
continue forward on the ground work laid by the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs last year.
<http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmilitary%2D
education%2Emilitary%2Ecom%2F%3FESRC%3Deducation%2Enl&code=110117EDA03&eml=3b
2fe6caeca6824fd7f9442bd75d77d2>
GI Bill -- GI Bill 2.0 -- offers expanded benefits, especially for online
students. Distant learners, as they are referred to by VA policy, were
previously excluded from receiving the living (housing stipend) stipend
unless they enrolled in at least one course per term in a classroom setting.
GI Bill 2.0: Offers Online Living Stipend
By Terry Howell
The latest version of the Post-9/11 GI Bill - GI Bill 2.0 - offers expanded
benefits, especially for online students. Distant learners, as they are
referred to by VA policy, were previously excluded from receiving the living
(housing stipend) stipend unless they enrolled in at least one course per
term in a classroom setting. Many veterans who desired to take 100 percent of
their classes online were upset by this rule. Some took the obligatory single
course in the classroom to get the stipend. Many chose not to enroll at all.
Starting next fall, Post-9/11 GI Bill eligible veterans will be able to get a
monthly living stipend without having to take traditional classroom courses.
The stipend for online students will be significantly different from the
traditional classroom student version. Online students will get half of the
national average stipend (average Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with
Dependents). For example a full-time student who is taking 100 percent of his
or her classes online will get $673.50 a month, while a full-time student
taking at least one classroom course will get the full stipend rate based on
the specific location of the school.
As a former online student, I can say that this is better than nothing. In
fact, a school official told me that a large percentage of his students
planned to drop their classroom courses and attend online only due to this
change.
Of course nothing is without cost and legislation is no different. Congress
is bound by a pay-as-you-go rule which means that the costs of any program
like the Post-9/11 GI Bill 2.0 must be offset by new taxes or reductions in
other areas. To help cover the cost of the GI Bill reforms, Congress chose to
end the practice of paying benefits during school-breaks and changed the
formula for the housing stipend payment rate.
Changes to Stipend Payment Formula - Veterans currently enrolled at a rate of
better than half-time receive a full living stipend check. However, beginning
October 1, 2011, the housing stipend will be prorated based on the student's
rate of pursuit. For example, a student enrolled at ¾ time will get ¾ of
their living stipend - based on the location of their school. The new
prorating factor applies to online students as well.
The reforms offer more veterans expanded options and opportunities to take
vocational training, flight school, numerous certification exams, stipends
for online learners, and the ability to tap into the VA's OJT and
Apprenticeship program.
Many of us who supported and pushed for GI Bill reform are disappointed that
some vets will lose so others may gain. Which was exactly what the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs was trying to avoid.
Hopefully continued pressure from veterans will force the 112th Congress to
continue forward on the ground work laid by the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs last year.
<http://tracking.military.com/cgi-bin/outlog.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmilitary%2D
education%2Emilitary%2Ecom%2F%3FESRC%3Deducation%2Enl&code=110117EDA03&eml=3b
2fe6caeca6824fd7f9442bd75d77d2>